South Cook News

City of Hometown City Council met Jan. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hometown was called to order by Mayor Finnegan on Tuesday January 9, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.  

Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Banasiak. 

Roll Call: Roll call indicated that the following were present: Aldermen Banasiak, Forney, Zak, Rivas, Walsh, Brookman, Kurysz and Reynolds. 

Absent: Aldermen Grochowski and Barnhouse. 

Also present: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney, James Forbes, Building Commissioner and Bonnie  Gesiakowski, Public Health Director. 

Press: Kelly White, Hometown Hi-Lites. 

Journal December 12, 2023: Moved by Alderman Zak, seconded by Alderman Walsh to approve as published the Journal of December 12, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting. 

Roll Call Indicated: 

AYES: (7) Aldermen Walsh, Forney, Rivas, Zak, Banasiak and Brookman. 

NAYS: (0) 

ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Grochowski and Barnhouse. 

ABSTENTION: (1) Alderman Kurysz 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

CITIZEN’S HEARING: Jan Forney of 8765 Kilbourn addressed the City Council regarding the property tax increase. There was full discussion on this subject.  

Tony Duello of 8923 S. Komensky addressed the City Council regarding speed signs, the Senior Bus not having a city sticker, the new Dispensary and unmarked squad. There was discussion held on each subject. 

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 

Office of the Mayor: 

Mayor Finnegan wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We recently had someone throw hundreds of lottery tickets across several lawns and a wonderful young man, Gavin Pace and his father cleaned them up and raked for one of the residents. 

Office of the City Clerk: 

City Clerk Hacker notified the City Council her office received from the Department of Revenue Sales Tax collected in the month of August 2023 was in the amount of $24,300.85 the amount collected in the month of August 2022 was in the amount of $24,128.02. 

City Clerk Hacker notified the City Council her office received from the Department of Transportation that the MFT collected in the month of August 2023 was in the amount of $17,095.93 the amount collected in the month of August 2022 was in the amount of $15,519.49.

Office of the Treasurer: 

Treasurer Roti reported everyone should have a copy of the reports from his office. We have received a large amount of real estate taxes. You should all have a memo regarding the budget process and a budget meeting calendar, please mark your calendars as these are important meetings. 

REPORTS FROM CITY APPOINTED OFFICIAL 

City Attorney: Michael Cainkar, City Attorney reported on the tax rate and referred everyone to the audit page 53 for clarification. 

Police Department: Louis Dominguez, Police Chief reported the speed signs are up and working, they will be pulling data from them soon, two more signs have been ordered one will be placed on 88th Street. There are some Ordinances being re-worked regarding tow fees and fines for trucks not in compliance.  

Public Works: Mark Trlak, Director not present. Mayor Finnegan commended the PW crew for their work on the recent snow and ice. 

Building: James Forbes, Building Commissioner had no report. 

Public Health: Bonnie Gesiakowski had no report. 

REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Accounts Payable Payroll December 26, 2023: Moved by Alderman Forney, seconded by Alderman Banasiak to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $114,399.35 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $68,204.22 for a total expenditure of $162,804.94. (List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal)

Roll Call Indicated: 

AYES: (8) Aldermen Walsh, Forney, Rivas, Kurysz, Reynolds, Banasiak, Zak and Brookman. 

NAYS: (0) 

ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Grochowski and Barnhouse. 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

Accounts Payable Payroll January 09, 2023: Moved by Alderman Forney, seconded by Alderman Brookman to approve for payment the accounts payable vouchers in the amount of $71,800.96 and payroll vouchers in the amount of $78,014.96 for a total expenditure of $149,815.92.  List of vouchers marked “EXHIBIT A” attached to and made a part of this Journal)

Roll Call Indicated: 

AYES: (8) Aldermen Walsh, Forney, Rivas, Kurysz, Reynolds, Banasiak,  Zak and Brookman. 

NAYS: (0) 

ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Grochowski and Barnhouse. 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

Alderman Forney acknowledged receipt of the City Treasurer’s Report and the Clerk Collector’s Report.

STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING COMMITTEE 

Alderman Glen Zak, Chairman had no report. Alderman Forney reported he observed one of the  garbage trucks on the sidewalk, Mayor Finnegan stated he had received pictures of the same thing  and had already reached out to our representative at Republic. 

WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE 

Alderman Daniel Walsh, Chairman had no report. 

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE 

Alderman Brookman, Chairman had no report. 

BUILDING COMMITTEE 

Alderman Barnhouse, Chairman was absent. Alderman Walsh gave the building report. 

LICENSE COMMITTEE: Alderman Donna Grochowski was absent. 

CODE AND ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Alderman Bob Reynolds, Chairman had no report. 

INSURANCE COMMITTEE: Alderman Rick Banasiak, Chairman had no report. 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE: Alderman Luci Kurysz had no report. 

POLICE COMMITTEE: Alderman Rivas gave the police report. 

C Tickets: 5 P Tickets: 322 State Tickets: 139 Verbal Warnings: 171 Written Warnings: 54 Hometown Residents: 50 Arrests: 16 Misdemeanor Total incidents 261 

REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES 

Library: Alderman Grochowski was not present. Mayor Finnegan reported they met on January 2, 2024 and  Treasurer Roti and Mayor Finnegan were in attendance. They have received $22,675.13 in Real  Estate Taxes. The Library will be closed January 15 for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The next meeting is February 6, 2024. 

Legislation: Alderman Forney had no report. 

Fire Department: Alderman Reynolds reported there will be a meeting on January 15, 2024. Mayor Finnegan reported  he reached out to Chief Duffy regarding a few issues, the railroad crossing being a quiet zone and  he let me know he is close to finishing all fire inspections and they have received almost 100% of  their tax revenue. 

Personnel Review: Mayor Finnegan, Chairman, had no report. Chief Dominguez had no report. 

PRESENTATION OF PETITIONS, COMMUNICATIONS RESOLUTIONS, ORDERS AND ORDINANCES BY ALDERMEN 

ORD. No. ORDINANCE NO. 1-2024, MOVED BY ALDERMAN WALSH, SECONDED BY 1-2024: ALDERMAN ZAK TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 1-2024, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14, TRAFFIC, ARTICLE 9, STOPPING FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING ONLY,  BY ADDING SECTION 14.107, UNSCHEDULED BUS STOPS, OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF HOMETOWN

Roll Call Indicated: 

AYES: (8) Aldermen Walsh, Forney, Rivas, Grochowski, Reynolds, Banasiak, Kurysz, Zak and Brookman.  

NAYS: (0) 

ABSENT: (2) Aldermen Grochowski and Barnhouse. 

MOTION DECLARED CARRIED 

SPECIAL EVENTS: Alderman Grochowski was absent. 

HEALTH, WELFARE & COMMUNITY AWARENESS: Alderman Grochowski was absent. Mayor Finnegan  reported both the Library and City Hall will be closed Monday, January 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Reminder there is no parking on streets after 2 inches of snowfall. The VFW is holding a Valentine Raffle. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE 

NEW BUSINESS: NONE 

CITIZEN’S HEARING: Jan Forney of 8765 Kilbourn asked what the other half of the dispensary will be? Mayor Finnegan stated as of right now nothing. He is pushing for something for families or kids. Phil Mottl of 9054 Corcoran Road asked if there were cameras on the new signs, he was advised it is against the law. 

ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Mayor Finnegan, seconded by Alderman Walsh to adjourn the regular meeting of the Hometown City Council. 

MOTION STATED CARRIED 

The meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm 

https://www.cityofhometown.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01092024-348